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Itron Launches New Innovative Metering Solution for the Brazilian Market

[September 25, 2012]

Itron Launches New Innovative Metering Solution for the Brazilian Market

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. --(Business Wire)--

Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) announced today the availability of OpenWay®
AURUM, its newest product tailored to the Brazilian market. This
product's modular and flexible design combines Itron's metering and
communication technology with unique packaging to help utilities meet
business objectives by lowering operational costs, improving service and
protecting revenue. The Itron meter is housed in a secure box, which is
mounted on a utility pole rather than on a house or business, reducing
the possibility of meter tampering. In addition, AURUM takes advantage
of Itron's RF mesh network to provide a cost effective solution for
advanced metering and smart metering initiatives.

AURUM offers utilities a solid platform on which to build an advanced
metering infrastructure that will support their needs today while
positioning them for future smart grid applications. This innovative
product is capable of providing two-way communication between utilities
and connected assets in the field, allowing for remote meter readings,
control and monitoring of field components, power outage and restoration
notifications, and remote service connection and disconnection. Allof
these features improve efficiency and provide cost savings.

"Itron is leveraging its technology and global smart grid expertise to
bring a solid solution that meets the unique needs of Brazilian
utilities," said Gadner Vieira, general manager of Itron's Energy Group
in LAM.

Utilities in Brazil face challenges that significantly impact operating
costs. According to the Brazilian regulator Agência Nacional de Energia
Elétrica's (ANEEL) website, distributors record high annual losses, both
technical and non-technical. It is estimated that in Brazil, the losses
in the electricity distribution network are responsible for about
fifteen percent of the power purchased by distributors.

Vieira continued, "Utilities need sophisticated tools to address the
tremendous amount of technical and non-technical losses each year.
Itron's new product, AURUM, is the technology that promises to become
the principal solution for utilities to deal with these issues while
increasing operational efficiency at the same time."

AURUM reduces non-technical losses by allowing utilities to manage
hundreds of thousand meters with a single system, providing reliable,
synchronized and intelligent real-time information. Most importantly,
these meters are installed in a secured box on pole tops, away from the
traditional point of use. This greatly limits access to the meter, which
in turn significantly reduces the likelihood of diversion and
non-technical loss.

About Itron

Itron is a global technology company. We build solutions that help
utilities measure, monitor and manage energy and water. Our broad
product portfolio includes electricity, gas, water and thermal energy
measurement and control technology; communications systems; software;
and professional services. With thousands of employees supporting nearly
8,000 utilities in more than 100 countries, Itron empowers utilities to
responsibly and efficiently manage energy and water resources. Join us
in creating a more resourceful world; start here: www.itron.com.